Do you see your house as an investment, a pension pot or simply somewhere nice to live? The fact is that when you buy a property, it can be all three of these things. And if you’re purchasing a property as a buy-to-let to rent out to others, it’s also a business tool as a means of earning you a regular income.

When you’re looking for a loan to buy a property with, it’s important to know your main purpose for buying the home, even though your purchase will ultimately hopefully be a great investment towards your pension pot and also a lovely place to live, either for yourself or your potential renters. There are many different loans and mortgages out there to suit your plans for buying a property, and to help clarify which loan or mortgage is right for you in your individual circumstances, you could go to an independent mortgage broker or advisor.

Finance to Suit You

An independent mortgage advisor will have access to a wide selection of financial products that you’re eligible for, and they can explain all the options suitable to your situation, and help you choose and apply for the right one.

Russell Sanders from independent mortgage broker Fresh Mortgages, based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, explains how a mortgage advisor can guide you to the best mortgage for your purpose. “Sometimes when people come to me to find a home loan, they themselves are not clear on why they want to make the purchase,” Russell says. “For example, if someone’s looking for a buy-to-let mortgage, they also want to make a wise financial investment on a property that they may decide to live in one day, or they may sell to augment their pension earnings.”

Maximum Property Investment

“In some ways, the ultimate reason for the purchase may not be clear now, but if it’s an additional purchase to add to a portfolio where the buyer already owns one or more properties, then a buy-to-let mortgage is highly likely to be the financial product that they’re after,” Russell continues. “Even if the new property will ultimately become the purchaser’s home, which could be the motivation for someone who, say, already lives in a house but then buys a smaller flat that they may move into in 10 years’ time, the buyer still wants maximum return on investment with an affordable mortgage.”

Fresh Mortgages has seen an increase in recent years of buyers who live mortgage-free in an existing property looking for a mortgage with which they can buy a house or flat to rent out, so they receive the rental income while the property rises in value. “Many people see that interest rates on savings are so low that money invested into a property, rather than a savings account, is much more financially rewarding. The rent they receive far outweighs the income in savings interest that they would get.”

Growing Buy-to-Let Mortgage Demand

So the demand for buy-to-let mortgages has increased significantly in the last five years or so? “Yes,” agrees Russell. “Another contributing reason is the uneasiness a lot of people feel over the pension income they will eventually receive when they finish working. Most feel it will be inadequate for their future retirement, and by buying an additional property, they have at least that as a pension income, or lump sum, which will be worth a lot more than its original price.”

Is it easier to get a buy-to-let mortgage than a mortgage for buying a new home, whether it’s first-time buying or not? “It’s easier to borrow using an existing owned property, so that would cover most situations, apart from first-time buyers,” Russell says. “Having said that,” he continues, “there are a lot more incentives available now for first-time buyers, such as the ‘help to buy’ ISAs, which give higher interest rates than other ISAs, and a tax-free sum added to the account when it’s used to pay for a home deposit.”

Saving Time and Effort in the Mortgage Search

So to finish, I ask Russell what the main advantage of using an independent mortgage advisor are. “I can look at your individual situation, such as income, employment status and age, and find the mortgage providers with the best deals for you. So if you’re self-employed, or older than the average home buyer, I know the lenders who have products to suit you, and can approach them on your behalf. This saves a lot of time and effort on your behalf, especially when you may feel that your situation is so unusual that you’ll never easily find a mortgage provider who would lend to you,” Russell replies.

So when buying a property is complicated enough, so complex that you may not even clearly know your own reasons for doing it, going to an independent mortgage advisor will save you precious time and take away the arduous process of approaching multiple lenders to finally find one that will accept you, or one that offers the best rates available in the mortgage market.

I hope you are well and business is good for you. But, let me ask you a question…as a small business how do you go about growing?

It’s a really interesting question, so I chatted to David Hardisty a small business growth expert and consultant as to exactly how he helps “the one man band” expand beyond the natural confines of a one or two man business.

Firstly I asked David about his background.

“Bit of a hotch potch actually”, he smiles a very cheeky grin. “I’ve done lots of different things in my life from sales, to business process to driving racing cars. I still teach people how to drive on a race track, that’s a labour of love. But the wide experience I’ve had during nearly 40 years in business is what helps me offer the right advice I think”.

Can you give me an example.

Desire Is Key

“Yes, of course. Before I do that, I think it’s only right to say, that the people running any small business have to actually, truly want to expand and grow. That is such a key point. When I first meet a new prospect, and sit down and try to understand their goals and aspiration, it is something I have to be absolutelty convinced by – that they really do want it. Otherwise I am just going to waste everyone’s time and money”.

That is very much a fair point, so continuing down that path, how do you become convinced.

“Great question! Do you know what? It’s something I see in them when they start talking about their business. It’s the “fire in the eyes” if you like, the passion. When I see someone “come alive” when they talk about their business, when I see excitement, I know they are a good prospect”.

Interesting, so what about their own ideas.

Then It’s The How

“Again a great point. Most of the small businesses I have helped grow know they want to expand, but they don’t really know how. Either that, or they have an idea but don’t know how to implement or start off odwn the road to expansion. Let’s talk that example now”.

O.K, I’m interested to hear.

“It’s a company called Pets, Homes and Gardens, lovely couple Peter and Julie Maxted. They absolutely love animals and had their own pet sitting business. Julie also runs a small local publication in Horsham that she sells advertising in. They loved their life, so didn’t want to compromise their lifestyle, but they also wanted more but as I often find, just did not know hwo to go about it”.

Go on….

Finding The Key Elements

“The advertising business was doing O.K and was able to support them to a level while we looked at how to expand the pet business. I think it’s fair to say that a pet sitting business is finite unless you start to expand into expensive larger premesis and take on many more staff. So, it’s difficult to ake it profitable from scaling in size. All you do is create an admin and accounting behemoth and you end up not doing what you love – working in daily contact with the pets”.

David continues…

“So I sat down with Peter and Julie and talked about their goals. Having spent a good few hours discussing goals, life the universe and everything the solution was pretty obvious. It was also clear they were totally committed to a growth project. So, I proposed that they take what they had created in terms of a pet sitting business, we systemize it and set up a franchise operation. We worked on a few unique selling points for example a really low entry price, intergral advertising and within two months had an extremely attractive offering”.

A Success Story

“That was two years ago. Now PHG have 18 franchiees the length and breadth of the U.K. Most are successful and making m oney for both the franchisee and PHG. The unique twist is that the entry point is low, but the franchisee pays a monthly percentage back to PHG based on turnover. It’s such a brilliant way of expanding a business“.

I can cearly see that passion and fire in David.

“Oh yes, it is just so rewarding helping people who haved that burn but just need some guidance. I absolutely love it”.

Today I want to talk about the U.K domestic heating and energy market. It’s a market that has been tied up by the big boys for many years. However, in the last two or three years a number of disruptors have entered the market. This has made it an interesting place to look at the disruptor case model.

So, today I am going to look at eco-disruptors Hassle Free Boilers. So without further ado, let’s look at exactly what they do and how.

Central heating your home – it’s vital

When it comes to kitting out your property with the essentials, central heating is certain to take pride of place towards the very top of your list. In fact, the installation of a new central heating system is an investment in the future, with properties that go ahead with fitting likely to add up to £5,000 to their property resell price. A new boiler installation certainly unlocks a variety of benefits, you can keep your family warm and cosy, reduce your energy costs and harness much, much more with a gas or combi boiler that suits your home and your budget. These are two sentiments that are certain to be music to every homeowner’s ears. Plus you make your home easier to sell if that’s what you decide to do.

Hassle Free Boilers is one such company that aims to provide the very best boilers at a price you can afford. As well as supplying an extensive range of eco-friendly boilers – a collection that is growing every day with Ideal and Worcester Bosch models recently added to their offerings – Hassle Free Boilers delivers a range of finance, fixed price and pay monthly options so no household has to go without.

What can you gain from going ‘Hassle Free’?

Cutting household expenditure so you can spend your hard earned cash doing what you enjoy is the aim for all, and whilst a boiler upgrade or replacement may seem like an expensive move, by enlisting professional help from Hassle Free Boilers, you can enjoy a state-of-the-art boiler without putting a burden on your finances.

Thanks to Hassle Free Boilers’ all-inclusive, pay monthly service plan, you can upgrade at no extra cost to a new gas or combi boiler of your choice, access same day emergency help and enjoy a range of excellent maintenance options, including full heating system flushes and annual services. As part of the pay monthly plan provided by Hassle Free Boilers, all parts (including magnetic filters, digital thermostat and wireless controls) and labour are included and covered by a 12 year warranty.

Want to pay upfront?

In addition to offering an affordable pay monthly option, Hassle Free customers can also pay for their boiler upfront, but you don’t just get your new boiler when taking on the fixed price alternative. When paying for your Ideal, Worcester or Vaillant boiler, you can look forward to installation within 48 hours (which is also included in the price), complete system flush, 7 year warranty, old boiler removal, new thermostat control, full heating system cleanse, full demonstration and handover, and a standard boiler flue.

A range of flexible finance options are also available, some of which require no deposit at all.

This model has forced the big boys, like British Gas and Scottish Power to fall into line in giving similar offerings. But the area they can’t compete is with hassle Free’s ability to negotiate spot gas deals in a very “fleet of foot” manner. This means they offer flexible pricing more in line with the going rate as opposed to the slow and meaningless changes the big companies offer. There are also great savings to be made.

Public service information

And, finally they offer a great series of informational articles and videos.

Here’s an example of their best combi boilerbuyers guide which is an extensive articles clearly demonstrating the pros and cons of installing a combination boiler. They also do the same for the best system boiler which you can find by cicking the link.

Today I am going to talk about an industry that has lead the service sector across many years. I’m talkig about recruitment.

However, during the recent recession, recruitment has taken a bit of a hit. Certainly traditonal markets like IT have seen a lot of rationalisation as well as change. For example, the rise of Recruitmet Process Outsourcing has made markets such as Investment banking much more difficult for the smaller player. Today I am going to take a look at a company that walked away from that very market. They did this so they could maintain personal relationships with decision makers.

However, that needed a fundamental change of direction and market. Doug Bates and Chris Mason of Intelligent People did just this. Here’s a litte bit about what makes them stand out from the crowd.

In industries that are notoriously ‘candidate short’, finding talent to fill positions at all levels can be difficult throughout the marketing, eCommerce and product management sectors. That’s where the recruitment specialists at Intelligent People come in.

As a market leading expert in the field, they have helped thousands of companies recruit the next generation of employees, and with a specialism serving the country’s most innovative and fastest growing sectors, companies like Amazon, eBay and Photobox know they are in the right hands. But how does this London-based service differ from the countless recruitment firms out there?

Early adoption of the digital marketing niche

Finding intelligent people to fill coveted positions within the company has been difficult for businesses of all sizes and niches, particularly those in the digital marketing sector. The online and new media industry has evolved rapidly in recent years, with the growth of many companies somewhat stumped by the limited access to quality candidates.
Intelligent People was founded back in 2002 to provide a solution to this widespread recruitment issue, and from the early days, their consultants focused solely on the digital marketing niche. As a result the firm and their clients now profit from an extensive and historic database of candidates. That have truly become a digital recruitment agency.

Full market access

Being privy to both passive candidates and those actively seeking opportunities is every recruiter’s golden ticket, and thanks to their scouring of the marketing, eCommerce and product management markets, Intelligent People provides full market access.
It’s not just clients looking to find the right candidates that benefit from the company’s historic status. Candidates wishing to develop and grow their careers in their respective fields have access to the very best opportunities. Intelligent People’s client base includes the industry greats and household names we are all familiar with, meaning candidates can get closer to working in roles that they love. This makes IP a “one stop shop” for all online recruitment agency matters.

Committed to quality

The recruitment process is more than just advertising a role and waiting for the candidates to pour in. Intelligent People’s high-end service always begins with a full, face-to-face briefing with the client and a meeting with every candidate to ensure their knowledgeable consultants gain a full insight into the client’s vacancy and wider company as well as the candidate’s experience and suitability. Intelligent People also takes up the role of careers advisor when it comes to their candidates.

Intelligent People takes a bespoke approach to developing the relationship between employer and employee from the outset.

They also provide a series of “public interest” style video trainings for candidates to help them in their job search. Here Chris Mason talks about the opening stages of a job interview.

Do you know that the success rate of your business depends on whether or not you have chosen the right one? Yes, if at the very first day you have gotten into the wrong business sooner or later it will fail. Why is this so? It is for the simple reason you have not taken into consideration and have thought about a million times as to what your business should be. If your mindset is like I will go to this business since it is the trend or I know someone who became successful out of this for sure I will be. Do get away with this mindset. Or else, you will be wasting money, time and effort on a business bound to fail.

To make it easier for you to choose the right business, here are three tips that you can easily follow:

Tip #1 Know What You Love The Most

Do you know successful entrepreneurs love what they do? No wonder they have been a total success! Why is this so? It is for the simple reason that there are days where you do want to work, you are tired or anything and you stop doing anything. In a business, you need to be hands on especially if it is your first venture and you are at the start-up stage of it. When you do love the business you are getting into whatever your feeling for the day, you will have the drive to be present, be at your very best since you do not feel like working at all.

If you ask successful entrepreneurs if is there any day they feel like giving up or tired at all, they will tell you without even blinking that no. In the first place, they feel they are not working at all. They are doing what they love.

Tip #2 Be An Expert Of It

Here is another tip you should not miss out. Be sure you are an expert of whatever business you get into. First, you must love it and second be an expert of it. The reason behind this is that it enables you to create a system design to sustain the business and make a success out of it. Also, in case there will be challenges it will be much easier to resolve them. Why? You are an expert. You know how to spot where the problem is, be able to come up with a proven effective solution, and the business continues to operate. Eventually, it will slowly grow and more profits coming your way. How’s that sound?

Tip #3 Know Who Your Target Market Is

Lastly, you must know who your target market is. Even if you are entering into a business of which you love it the most and you are an expert of it, if you have not define clearly who is your target market it would be a total disaster. Remember, your target market is where you get sales from. If you are even confuse to whom your business is for, chances are your business will surely fail. It is a necessary to have a clear definition who will be your customers, to whom the products or services are for. Then, decide a marketing plan to capture your target market while taking into consideration your competitors.

So, are you now ready to pick the right business for you? All you have to do is to follow through the above-mentioned tips and you are good to go. Plan things clearly, seek help as much as possible, learn more. You will be on the road to success for sure.